Who we are




Who are the Tonga Legends?
The Tonga Legends are centered around a group of (former) professional Rugby players who were invited and had the honour to play for the country of Tonga.
Some of the participating players have played an average of between 5 and 40 international matches, while a crop of our players have participated in Rugby World Championships in 2011, 2015 and 2019.
Most of the Tonga Legends have come to England or France in their younger years to play professional rugby. Some of our players have been under contract at clubs such as the Saracans (England) or Agen (France) and played in the top of both competitions.
The Tonga Legends register as a participating veteran team in various Rugby tournaments around the world such as the Dubai 7s tournament and the Amsterdam 7s tournament.
What We Do
During their appearances at tournaments, the Tonga Legends players contribute and take part in various numbers of activities such as Youth Rugby Clinics, Corporate Games or other initiatives in the days leading up to or succeeding the event.
The evenings before we participate in the tournament we hold a sponsor evening and, at the request of the sponsor, we give a rugby clinic to their staff. Furthermore, the Tonga Legends can provide additional players in case of a shortage on other competing teams. For all options, get in touch with us now! To get a better idea of how the Tonga Legends can add value to your event, take a look at the Appearances and Training and Clinics page.
2023 Player reveals
More players to be revealed.
Meet all our players in person during the Amsterdam 7s. The first weekend of June 2023.
Previous Appearances

Aki Lea as he is known is a Shelford player who over the past 6 years has played for Eastern Counties Senior XV in the back row. The Tongan is known for his full bodied tackling but also his passion to play for Eastern Counties. He has been a leader on and off the field of play supporting many younger players, especially on the long away trips. Dave Masdin U20s Manager

Anthony MATOTO is a tongian rugby player. He plays at Ordizia R.E. at the centre position. He is 34 years old and was born on 01/07/1987. He measures 1 m 92 for 105 kg.

Dave Tiueti (born 6 June 1973) is a former Tongan rugby union player who played for Ospreys regional team as a winger. He won 21 caps for Tonga, scoring 33 points. Tiueti made his debut for the Ospreys regional team in 2003 having previously played for Neath RFC, Tonmawr RFC, Bristol Rugby and Rugby Viadana.

Kati TU’IPULOTU is a former Tonga international rugby player who had a long spell playing in Wales, wuth Dunvant, Neath, Eddw Vale and Narberth at the back row. He is one of the driving forces behind Tonga Legends.

Kerry Cooper Vuna (born 5 July 1987) is a professional rugby footballer who plays on the wing for Newcastle Falcons in Premiership Rugby. He played rugby league as a wing for the New Zealand Warriors and Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League competition, before switching to rugby union to play Super Rugby for the Melbourne Rebels.

Kurt Morath (born 13 November 1984) is a New Zealand-born Tongan rugby union player who plays at fly-half. He currently plays for the Austin Gilgronis in Major League Rugby (MLR). He previously played for Doncaster Knights in RFU Championship Morath was part of the Tonga squad at the 2011, 2015[1] and 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Latu Makaafi, also spelt as Latu Maka’afi, (born 1982 on the 17th of august)is a Tongan rugby union flanker and Number 8 who plays for Hull having previously been at Coventry. He is 1.85m with 107kg.

Lisiate Tafa (born 10 October 1979 in Ha’apai, Tonga) is an inside/outside center and utility who plays rugby union football for English club Sedgley Park in the National One Division and Tonga. He has played for Sedgley Park in 2008-9, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011-12. He is well known for his speed, tactical play and ability to break tackles.

Simon Hafoka (born 1974) is a professional rugby player and coach who played international rugby for Tonga. He grew up in Auckland, New Zealand and attended St Peter’s College. Hafoka’s playing position is as hooker/backrow forward. He has also played Rugby 7s for the Fiji Spartans 7s team in the UK, Ireland and Portugal.

Alekei Lutui previously played for Chiefs in the international Super 14 competition, as well as the Bay of Plenty in the Air New Zealand cup. He was also the top try scorer for the Bay of Plenty in the 2002 National Provincial Championship.
He has appeared and captained numerous times for his Tonga national team.

Viliami Ma’asi, born July 31, 1975 in Tofoa (Tonga), is a Tongan international rugby union player playing as a hooker, collecting 32 caps for the Tonga national team. He spent his entire professional career in England, and ended his career in National League One (3rd division) with the Ampthill club.

Alaska Taufa, a Rugby Union footballer, usually playing on the wing. He was part of the Tongan squad at the 2011 Rugby World Cup where he played in one match. Alaska is the son of Alasika Taufa, who was also a Tongan international, appearing in the 1996 Rugby World Cup. Alaska has collected 12 caps for the Tonga national team.

Soane Tonga’uiha is a Tongan-born, New Zealand-educated, rugby-union player and coach. He plays for Chinnor and internationally for Tonga, collecting 13 caps. His position of choice is loose-head prop, although he sometimes plays at tight-head. He is known for his large size and fierce runs.

Leo is a Tongan-born Rugby player who has played in the English Premiership for years. Leo made his London Irish debut for in the London Double Header fixture against Harlequins at the start of that season, before earning his first start the following week against Sale Sharks. Leo went on to make 11 appearances for the club in his first season, and went on to play many matches in English top rugby. Leo is now playing in France, at Soyaux-Angoulême

Jonathan Koloi, or: Sonatane Charles Jonathan Koloi is a Tongan Rugby player, born July 2, 1972 and has represented the Tonga National Rugby time on 15 occassions, starting 15 time and scoring 30 points. His usual position is as a flanker and he has played for English rugby club Coventry.

Talite Vaioleti is a Tongan Rugby player who was born in Haveluloto, Tonga on 13 November 1980. He is a utility player able to play as a Lock or in the Back Row. His playing career took him to the United Kingdom where he played for several clubs. Talite picked up two caps for the Tonga national Rugby team in 2005.

David Halaifonua (born July 5, 1987) is a Tongan national rugby union player who currently plays for London Scottish in the RFU Championship and for the Tonga national team. Halaifonua first played club rugby for Warringah, a rugby union club located in New South Wales, Australia, that compete in their competitions, the Shute Shield and the Tooheys New Cup. He then moved to France as he signed a contract for US Bergerac, who compete in Federale 1, the third level of domestic competition in France. He joined London Scottish ahead of the 2020–21 season.

Eddie Aholelei (born 3 December 1981) is a retired professional rugby union footballer. His regular playing position is Full-Back. Aholelei joined the Melbourne Rebels extended playing squad in 2011. He made his first appearance for the Melbourne Rebels vs Bath Rugby Football Club on their 2011 UK tour. In Round 8 2012 he made his Super Rugby debut off the bench against the Brumbies and went on to join the full squad in 2013. In 2015 he founded the charity “Youth in Union” (Nonprofit Organisation) to help youth through education and sports in his home country Tonga.

Joseph Mark Laifone Tuineau (born 18 August 1981) is a Tonga international rugby union footballer. He plays in the lock position for the France based Pro D2 side, Dax. Tuineau also represents Tonga at international level. Tuineau is a former American football player born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. His partner is Southern Steel and Silver Ferns goal shoot Daneka Wipiiti. In the leadup to the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Tuineau declared his intention to represent Tonga, and made his debut against Fiji on 2 July 2011.

Keni Fisilau is a Tongan rugby union player. He currently plays for the English club Plymouth Albion Rugby Football Club in the RFU Championship. Fisilau made his debut for Tonga in 1999 against Japan. He last played for Tonga against Italy in 2005.

Kisi Pulu (born 31 January 1979, in Leimatu’a, Tonga) is a rugby union footballer. His usual position is at prop. He currently plays for USA Perpignan in the Top 14 in France. He also plays for Tonga.
Feel free to contact about any inquiry
Main contact:
Robert van Trigt